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Training: Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergencies

**Deadline extended to 6th of August**

Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergencies training  

Emergencies affect and may even destroy community and family resources. They also undermine personal coping strategies and social connections, which would normally support people. Human, social, and economic consequences are long-term and far-reaching and affect entire communities and societies. Most people who experience humanitarian emergencies show resilience and can manage their distress if they can activate their personal coping strategies and have access to basic services and external resources, such as the support of their families, friends, and community. Early and appropriate mental health and psychosocial support helps prevent distress from developing into more severe mental health and psychosocial conditions.  

An emergency and disaster intervention effort without a mental health and psychosocial support strategy is incomplete, and mainstreaming MHPSS throughout disaster response and recovery operations will make them more effective. In times of emergencies, disaster managers and psychosocial responders are responsible for planning and supporting basic psychosocial support activities as part of the emergency response.   

This training prepares disaster managers, emergency team leaders and psychosocial responders for work in the field by understanding basic concepts of psychosocial support in emergencies as well as planning and implementing PSS activities. It is for MHPSS focal points from the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Movement and humanitarian organizations responsible for initiating or supporting the overall mental health and psychosocial activities and interventions during emergencies.  

Topics covered are:

  • Introduction to the Red Cross Red Crescent MHPSS Policy and Resolution  
  • Understanding mental health and psychosocial support  
  • Principles of PSS in emergencies  
  • Impacts on communities after a crisis event  
  • Protection concerns during disasters  
  • Child protection and Child Friendly Spaces  
  • Loss and grief in disasters  
  • Psychosocial assessment  
  • Psychological first aid in disasters  
  • Psycho-education after disasters   
  • Planning for PSS interventions  
  • Caring for volunteers  

Dates, deadlines, and other important information:

The training takes place in Copenhagen from 13 to 17 November 2023. Each day of the training will be from 09.00-17.00 hrs CEST.   

Participants must be able to participate in the entire training, arriving the night before and departing from the training venue no earlier than 5 pm on the last day of training with the earliest possible flight out of Copenhagen at 8 pm.  

The training is highly interactive and problem-based with practical exercises, group work, role plays, and case studies. Participants must be fluent in written and oral English to be able to engage actively in the course, which is a requirement to pass the training successfully.   

Participants will receive a certificate based on whether they have:  

  • done the required pre-reading  
  • at least 80% attendance during the training  
  • participated actively during the training.  

For questions, please write to psacademy@rodekors.dk  

Participants are expected to: 

  • Have knowledge of the MHPSS impact and consequences of emergencies, stress, and coping .
  • Actively participate in all sections and tasks related to the training .
  • Have a background in education, social work, psychology, psychiatry, mental or public health, humanitarian or developmental sciences, or similar fields .

Deadline for application:

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, with a deadline of Sunday 6th of August 2023.  

Please note that we only accept applications submitted through the online system: Registration for the MHPSSiE Training

Please identify the specific visa requirements to Denmark: New to Denmark - You want to apply  

Cost : 

There is no training fee. Participants cover their own expenses for travel, accommodation, and other expenses. Lunch and snacks and one social dinner will be provided during the training. 

Required pre-reading and online training: